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Alar Base Reduction with Local Anesthesia After Actual Revision Rhinoplasty

asked 5 months ago by andiee
Latest answer by Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Question viewed 275 times
Tags: alar reduction, breathing problems

are there any risks involved with this procedure? My breathing is not perfect. Is there a risk that my breathing be impaired? Are the stitches usually visible afterwards? I have been advised that for safer results it could be performed with local anesthesia after actual operation. Is it an easy procedure?

12 answers to Alar Base Reduction with Local Anesthesia After Actual Revision Rhinoplasty

Alar Base Reduction after Revision Rhinoplasty

There are some risks with every procedure, but compromising nasal breathing is very unlikely with alar base reduction. This surgery can be done under local anesthesia. Stitches will be seen until they are removed 5-6 days after surgery, .

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Alar Base Reduction with Local Anesthesia After Actual Revision Rhinoplasty

Alar base reduction brings to nostrils and the base of the nose closer together. It will require incisions just inside the nsotrils and use of a permanent bunching suture. It can be performed under a local anesthetic but not certain why you wouldn't have it done during your Rhinoplasty. Alar base reduction, like all Rhinoplasty techniques, relies upon the proper aesthetic judgment following the nproper aesthetiocs of faclal beauty.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Alar Base Reduction

As stated, alar base reduction is used to reduce the base width of the nose (looking straight on and the width at it's lowest point). This can be done in different ways to include or not include the nostril. Obviously if the nostril is included in the reduction, the opening for airflow will be reduced. If your nostril was small to begin with, an experienced surgeon would not disturb this in the reduction. Problems with breathing after this type of procedure would be rare if this... more

Scott R. Brundage, M.D.
Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon

Revision rhinoplasty for me?

Yes, there are risks (associated with any and all procedures). Unlikely that breathing will be impaired. Stitches usually not visible after removal. No procedure is easy, or else it wouldn't take so many years to become a board certified plastic surgeon.

Steve Laverson, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

feelbeautiful.com

Alar base reduction under local anesthesia is appropriate, but not to "correct" breathing problems!

Alar base reductions (Weir excisions) are performed to reduce the size of the nostrils, reduce the width of the base of the nose, or make other changes in the appearance of the sides of the nose base where the nasal alae meet the cheek and upper lip. This can be performed as part of a rhinoplasty while anesthetized, or separately under local anesthesia, since these areas are away from the rest of the rhinoplasty procedural steps. What you should understand is that alar base reductions... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Timing Of Alar Base/Nostril Narrowing

Alar base or nostril narrowing involves the removal of a wedge of skin that will result in a fine line scar inside the nostril. It is almost never a scar concern although every skin excision leaves a scar. Whether it is done as part of any rhinoplasty or done later as a stand aloine procedure in the office depends on the certainty that it would be aesthetically beneficial. It is not a procedure that is known to adversely affect nasal breathing.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

Alar base reduction

Alar base reduction can be an effective method of cosmetic improvement of the nose but must be balanced carefully against possibled adverse breathing and cosmetice consequences. I often recommend making this decisionseveral months following the initial or revision rhinoplasty when the nose can be reassessed and these incisions avoided if possible. If alar base reduction is determined to be appropriate, this procedure can generally be performed under local... more

Scott K. Thompson, MD
Salt Lake City Facial Plastic Surgeon

Alar base reduction under local anesthesia

Morning, I think that's absolutely fine. Regarding your breathing, potentially there is a risk your breathing could be very slightly impaired, but it's unlikely. Doing the reduction after the revision rhino has couple of advantages. One, you get to see what your breathing is like after your rhino and then decide whether you want to proceed with the base reduction. Two, you get to see what the nose looks like and then decide whether you want to proceed for... more

Chase Lay, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Alar base reduction and anesthesia

Alar base reduction can certainly be performed under local but it really depends upon the tolerance of the patient.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Alar Base Reduction with Local Anesthesia

I think you are putting the cart before the horse. Reducing a flaring nose base will NOT improve breathing. I am therefore not sure why if your breathing "is still not perfect" after a REVISION rhinoplasty, why shouldn't your surgeon be focused on correcting the breathing? After all, a less flaring nose whose breathing is still blocked makes little sense. A nasal flare correction can be done under local anesthesia.

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Alar Base Reduction Timing

Hello, If you are uncertain as to whether you want an alar base reduction, then it is reasonable to have the rest of the rhinoplasty done and decide 6 or 12 months later if you want the base reduction. It is an easy area to get numb and the procedure should only take 10 minutes. The stitches will be visible (though not glaringly obvious) until they are removed 5 or so days later. The scar from this procedure, if done properly, is essentially invisible. ... more

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-apo.com

Delayed alar base reduction in the office

There is a risk of thickening or pigmentation change of the scar with alar base reduction. This can often be address wtih dermabrasion or an injection of dilute steroid. This procedure doesn't normally affect the breathing though if too much tissue is removed this may be possible. The timing of the reduction is up to your surgeon. If it's unclear whether or not you'd need it then waiting and allowing the nose to heal from the rhinoplasty is a reasonable option. It's... more